North Korea has built a new uranium enrichment facility, UN’s nuclear watchdog says

North Korea has constructed a new uranium enrichment facility at its primary Yongbyon nuclear complex, capable of housing up to 28 centrifuge cascades, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The agency also reported the initiation of operations at an expanded annex at its Kangson enrichment site. The IAEA's findings, detailed in a report dated August 28, indicate a continuous expansion of North Korea's nuclear infrastructure across multiple locations.

The agency's assessment is based on satellite imagery and open-source materials, such as photographs published by North Korean state media.

The agency identified a new two-story building at Yongbyon as the second uranium enrichment facility by contrasting photographs from a June visit by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with satellite images taken during the building's construction. The photographs from the visit suggest that gas centrifuge cascades are installed on both the upper and lower floors of the main building, which could potentially accommodate up to 28 cascades visible in the photographs.

Additionally, the IAEA noted indications that operations commenced in January at a uranium enrichment facility in Kangson, located near the capital Pyongyang, within an annex constructed in 2024. The IAEA's assessment suggests that these developments in North Korea's nuclear program violate UN Security Council resolutions. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed his concern over the ongoing operation of enrichment facilities at both Yongbyon and Kangson, as well as the reported expansion of North Korea's production of weapons-grade nuclear material, stating that this situation is of serious concern.